Cumbersome

usgb/ˈkʌmbərsəm/
adjective

Difficult to handle or use because of size or weight.

Moving the heavy table was a cumbersome task.
Visual representation of "cumbersome" - Difficult to handle or use because of size or weight.

Often appears as...

  • cumbersome task
  • cumbersome machinery

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "cumbersome"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Physical Burden

Use 'cumbersome' to describe objects that are hard to move or handle because of their weight or size.

Illustration for Physical Burden
Packing the cumbersome sculpture required extra hands.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Spatial Awareness

'Cumbersome' is handy when talking about items that take up too much space, making areas hard to navigate.

Illustration for Spatial Awareness
The cumbersome boxes in the hallway made it difficult to walk through.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Prolonged Effort

Items aren't momentarily cumbersome; the term implies a prolonged or continuous state of difficulty in handling.

Illustration for Prolonged Effort
We left the cumbersome ladder outside due to its size.
Visual representation of the word "Cumbersome"

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